Series 1 28-105 questions

I'm considering a Vivitar Series 1 28-105 lens. This would see use mostly on my

ZX-M (MZ-M) body, and occasionally on my *ist DL.

 

Is the Pentax K-mount version of this lens an "A" lens? or and "M" lens?

 

Any other comments on this lens are welcome as well.

David, this thread may help:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00LRz1

 

If the one at which you're looking is the same model as I had years ago, you'll want to get a satisfaction guarantee with it.

 

Why? Well, it could be up to 30 years old at this point and unless it was recently serviced or very well cared for it may not perform as well as it can. Also, parts are no longer available.

 

And I would submit that it does not perform as well as mid-quality modern lenses and simply can't play in the league of premium lenses.

 

As to the mount, I'm not sure it was available in 'A'. Of course the seller can let you know what they have in hand.

 

But what is your goal? To get a lens of this range that performs very well? In that case, how about the Pentax 28-105 f/3.2-4.5? It would work with your ZX-M and an AF body should you decide to get one in the future.

 

If you're looking for an MF lens, some options are well described in the thread linked above. If you can live with a slightly reduced long range, you might consider a Tamron SP 28-80 3.2-4.2. I have one that I use regularly and it performs very well. The challenge would be to find a PK/A Adaptall mount for less than the price of the lens!

 

Happy hunting!/Scott

The goal is find a worthy replacement for the somewhat limiting 35-70 kit lens on the ZX-M, and not spend very much.

 

I already have a 28-90 FA, which has become my standard lens on the *ist DL. I find the colour lovely, the contrast great. It's soft in the corners, but for most shots you never notice. (I much prefer this lens to the bland rendering of the 18-35 FAJ.)

 

I like the 28-90 FA enough that I could get another one to go on the ZX-M, but manual focusing is a little sloppy. Plus I'd rather get a little more reach, and a little more speed. The Series 1 seems to offer those three things -- good manual focusing, fast aperture, and the focal lengths I prefer. My options -- especially if I want something as fast as 2.8 -- seem pretty limited. I don't want to spend thousands, or even hundreds of dollars.

David,

 

The Series 1 lenses can be extremely good matching or even exceeding all but the very best of today. They can also be crap. Vivitar worked with several different manufacturers and designers and the quality is all over the map even for the same lens. So, unless you consider this some sort of holy grail of lenses, then you would do well to consider something else. The Pentax that Scott mentioned is good. I have a Tamron 28-105 that I use for portraits and it is sharp as can be at portrait focal lengths 70-90. Never use it outside of my home studio so not sure how it performs at the extremes. I suspect it will be similar to the Pentax (I think they are the same lens). Hope this helps

 

Mel Unruh

The Series 1 lenses were probably as good as any made back then, and the mechanics were pretty damned good too. Even a lot of the ordinary Vivitars can still hold their own today. My biggest concern with lenses is the direction you have to turn the focusing ring, and to a lesser extent, the diaphragm ring. I like all my lenses to turn in the same direction. Pentax and Nikon turn one way while Leica, Canon, and Minolta turn the other. Every Vivitar I've ever seen turned the "wrong way" compared to Pentax and Nikon.